IN VIDEO and PICTURES: Two restaurant workers arrested in Whitchurch immigration raids
Two workers at restaurants in a Shropshire town centre have been arrested for immigration offences.
Enforcement officers arrested a 34-year-old man from India at Chesters Fish and Chips in Green End, Whitchurch, and a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man at Spice Heaven in Station Road for overstaying their visas and working without permission.
A 32-year-old man, also from Bangladesh, found at Spice Heaven was escorted from the premises and told not to work, although officers were unable to find proof he had been working at the restaurant. The arrests were made during a series of raids on restaurants in the north of the county as part of a Home Office crackdown on people suspected of working illegally in the area.
Both men arrested were granted temporary release and ordered to report regularly to the Home Office.
The restaurants were served a notice warning that a civil penalty of up to £20,000 for the illegal worker arrested could be imposed unless proof is provided that the correct 'right to work' checks were carried out. Further restaurants were raided in Green End and also in nearby Prees Heath last night.
Carol Scarr, from West Midlands Immigration Enforcement, said: "Our teams of dedicated officers undertake illegal working operations like this regularly.
"In order to avoid financial penalties, employers should carry out simple 'right to work' checks and keep records.
"Using illegal labour cheats the taxpayer and denies legitimate job hunters work."
